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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Victoria Arlen, a gold medal-winning para-athlete swimmer, has been named a brand ambassador for Q’Straint.

Q’Straint develops safety solutions for wheelchair passenger transportation. The company made the announcement in May, which is National Mobility Awareness Month.

Arlen was recently chosen to participate in the 2013 International Paralympic Committee Swimming World Championships in Montreal in August. She will appear in Q’Straint ads in national trade publications.

“Our mission is to ensure that people in wheelchairs are able to safely get wherever they are going, whether it is on public transportation, taxi or their personal vehicle,” said Dan Bruck, Q’Straint marketing manager. “Victoria is an amazing young lady who has overcome incredible odds during her life to become a very successful para-athlete. We are honored to have someone with her dedication, poise and determination as our brand advocate.”

Paralyzed at age 11 due to transverse myelitis, a rare viral disease, Arlen spent nearly two years in a coma. Today, she is a star para-athlete swimmer. During the Paralympic Games last summer in London, Arlen won gold in the 100 meter freestyle and a silver medal in the 50 meter freestyle, 400 meter freestyle and 4x100 meter freestyle medley.

Additionally, Arlen is the world record holder in the 100 and 400 meter freestyles, and she holds the American record in the 50 meter breaststroke and the 100, 200 and 400 meter freestyle. She holds the Pan Am record in the 100 meter breaststroke and 400 meter freestyle.

Transportation vehicles serving the para-athletes during last summer’s games in London were outfitted with Q’Straint products. Arlen’s personal mobility vehicle is equipped with Q’Straint retractors.

“The independence that Q’Straint provides from a security and safety perspective means so much to those of us in wheelchairs and offers the highest level of reassurance for our families,” Arlen said. “I’m excited to be part of their team.”

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